Boychuk likely to suit up for Bruins' playoff opener

WILMINGTON – With just one day to go until they open the
2012 playoffs, many are still wondering who’s in and
who’s for the Boston Bruins in Game 1 against the Capitals.
The answer became a bit clearer following Wednesday’s
practice at Ristuccia Arena.

Johnny Boychuk dished out 145 hits for
the Bruins this season. (Getty)

For the third-straight day, defenseman Johnny
Boychuk and Tuukka Rask fully
participated in practice. Also for the third-straight day, there
was no sign of d-man Adam McQuaid.

Boychuk, who suffered a mild knee sprain against the Penguins on
April 3, seems likely to suit up on Thursday night.

“I think you keep seeing Johnny and Tuukka out there and
they’re doing much better,” coach Claude
Julien said. “Obviously, with Johnny we have an
opportunity maybe to make a decision tomorrow and again, specifying
the opportunity, not 100 percent but he’s feeling fairly good
so we’ll want to remain optimistic with him.”

The coach didn’t sound confident that Rask would be ready
to serve as Thomas’ backup in the series opener.

“If there is, I haven’t been told,” Julien
said when asked if there’ll be a decision to be made similar
to the one on Boychuk. “And unless somebody tells me
something today or tomorrow morning, I guess I don’t
anticipate having him in the lineup.”

McQuaid, meanwhile, is definitely a no-go.

“Same thing with McQuaid,” said Julien during his
obligatory injury update. “He didn’t skate again today
so he’s not going to be part of our lineup
tomorrow.”

Sans McQuaid, it seems highly probable – based on practice
workloads in the last three days – that Joe
Corvo will take his spot and partner up with Greg
Zanon on the bottom pairing.